INAUGURAL OXFORD BOURBON FESTIVAL & AUCTION SET FOR MAY 18-20, 2018

Celebrated Chef John Currence Headlines A Star-Studded Lineup Of Chefs, Music And Rare Bourbons To Raise Money For The Move On Up Mississippi Foundation

Oxford, MS – Chef John Currence and the Move on Up Mississippi Foundation proudly announce the inaugural Oxford Bourbon Festival & Auction, May 18 – 20, 2018 in Oxford, MS. The immersive three day celebration of all things bourbon, features private dinners by acclaimed chefs, exclusive tastings, incredible music, and a live auction of rare and one-of-a-kind bourbons and premium experiences. Proceeds from the festivities benefit Move on Up Mississippi, a not-for-profit organization founded by Chef Currence, dedicated to improving the lives of Mississippi’s underserved children.

Hosted by Currence, the festival kicks off with a series of private dinners. Cooking in some of the most historic and beautiful homes in Oxford, the bourbon-themed meals, with paired wines and spirits, are prepared by distinguished chefs from around the country including James Beard Award winners and nominees. The official talent lineup can be found at OxfordBourbonFest.com. The talent is not limited to kitchen, as the soulful and dynamic stylings of The War & Treaty will take center-stage for an incredible live performance at The Lyric Theater.

The festivities continue with a walk-around Bourbon Tasting Saturday afternoon where attendees can sample premium bourbons, meet distillers and whisky producers, and enjoy small bites by local chefs. Attendees will also have the opportunity to bid on an impressive lineup of items Saturday evening. Some of the most sought after names are those on the bottles of the fine and rare bourbons being sold at the live auction Saturday evening, with more than a dozen lots of impossible-to-get whiskies, including exclusive and hand-picked bottlings of Pappy Van Winkle 20 years old, Willett 13 years old, and Jefferson’s “Presidential Select” 18 years – just to name a few. These limited releases, custom selections and single barrel whiskies are from the private collections of celebrities, chefs and notable bourbon aficionados. The auction also includes non-bourbon related items like VIP access at the annual Billy Reid Shindig, world-class music experiences, behind-the-scenes distillery tours, and more. The festival concludes with a Sunday morning “Milk Punch” brunch at Bouré on the historic Oxford square.

“We want this to be the biggest and “baddest” bourbon festival in the country, and in our first year, we’re off to really impressive start,” says John Currence, host of the Oxford Bourbon Festival & Auction. “The lineup of talent, in every aspect of this event, is at such a high-level, that this truly is a “can’t miss” event for any bourbon or food lover.”